Air India passenger arrested at Delhi Airport after refusing in-flight food during 5-hour flight

An Air India passenger was arrested at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for smuggling gold worth ₹69 lakh. His refusal to consume any refreshments during flight AI 992 from Jeddah to Delhi raised suspicions and led to his arrest.

Unusual Behavior Raises Suspicions

According to a report in News18, the unnamed man repeatedly declined refreshments during the five-and-a-half-hour flight. He first refused water offered by the flight attendant and subsequently declined all other food and drink. The flight attendant, finding this behavior unusual, alerted the captain. The captain then informed security agencies through Air Traffic Control about the suspicious behavior.

Gold Concealed in Body

Upon the flight's arrival in Delhi, security personnel monitored the passenger closely. Attempting to pass through the Green Customs Clearance Channel, he was stopped for questioning. During the interrogation, the man admitted to concealing gold in his rectum. The gold, valued at over ₹69 lakh, was hidden in four oval capsules.

Official Statement and Investigation

Joint Commissioner (Customs) Monika Yadav stated that approximately 1096.76 grams of gold were recovered from the passenger. He was arrested under the Customs Act after admitting to smuggling gold from Jeddah. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.

Enhanced Vigilance on Flights

Following this incident, cabin crew have been instructed to observe passengers who refuse all food and drinks on long flights, as it is suspected they might be smuggling gold internally.

Previous Gold Smuggling Incident

Earlier this year, a souvenir shop at Chennai airport was uncovered as a front for a Sri Lankan gold smuggling syndicate. The shop’s owner, a YouTuber named Mohammed Sabir Ali, was arrested for assisting in smuggling 267 kg of gold worth ₹167 crore over two months.